Mardi Gras 2026 Date & Parade Schedule

Discover Mardi Gras 2026 date, upcoming New Orleans parade schedule, and countdown to the celebration. Plan your Carnival with key dates, events, and festive tips.

–

DAYS

–

HOURS

–

MINUTES

–

SECONDS

Mardi Gras 2026 date is Tuesday, February 17, marking the culmination of Carnival season in New Orleans. Leading up to this iconic day, the city hosts dozens of parades along historic Uptown and French Quarter routes, each bringing unique themes, floats, and local traditions. The countdown to Mardi Gras lets visitors and locals anticipate the full celebration.

January 6, 2026 – Funky Uptown Krewe, Joan of Arc Parade, Phunny Phorty Phellows, and Société Des Champs Elysée

This opening night of Carnival season kicks off with a quartet of unique Mardi Gras events. The Funky Uptown Krewe rolls along the historic St. Charles streetcar route a few blocks behind the Phunny Phorty Phellows, bringing music, custom records and spirited energy to the Uptown streets. The Phunny Phorty Phellows, a satirical krewe with roots in long Carnival tradition, inaugurates the season with costumed revelry aboard a streetcar. Meanwhile in the French Quarter, the Joan of Arc Parade honors the legendary Saint with pageantry and medieval flair, and the Société Des Champs Elysée (also known as the Not So Secret Society of the Elysian Fields) delivers its joyful procession along the Rampart – St. Claude streetcar line, marking the official start of Mardi Gras festivities.

January 17, 2026 – Krewe Mosaique Parade

The Krewe Mosaïque parade brings walking art to life in the French Quarter, featuring handcrafted floats and costumes that celebrate creativity and community spirit as the season warms up.

January 24, 2026 – Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus

A favorite for sci‑fi and carnival fans alike, the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus adds a playful, interstellar twist to Mardi Gras with imaginative themes and spirited revelry.

January 30, 2026 – Krewe Bohème

Krewe Bohème celebrates bohemian culture and artistic flair with an Uptown route filled with expressive costumes, creative throws, and lively music.

January 31, 2026 – Krewe du Vieux

Krewe du Vieux is one of New Orleans’ oldest and most irreverent parades, known for satirical themes, brass bands, and a walking route that winds through the French Quarter.

January 31, 2026 – krewedelusion

This walking krewe follows Krewe du Vieux with a playful twist, mixing costume creativity and community fun under the Carnival lights.

February 1, 2026 – ’tit Rex & Krewe of Nefertiti

’Tit Rex is a smaller krewe with big personality, followed by the Krewe of Nefertiti — both bringing family‑friendly charm and colorful pageantry early in the Carnival week.

February 6, 2026 – Krewe of Cleopatra, Krewe of Cork, Krewe of Oshun

Krewe of Cleopatra, an all‑female parade rich in tradition and flair, leads the celebration, followed by the spirited Krewe of Cork and the vibrant Krewe of Oshun on Uptown routes.

February 7, 2026 – Knights of Sparta / Spartan Society & Other Krewes

This day features multiple parades, including the Knights of Sparta/Spartan Society and fellow krewes like Choctaw, Freret, Pontchartrain, Pygmalion, and Legion of Mars, offering a full Uptown day of rolling pageantry and fun.

February 8, 2026 – Knights of King Arthur, Krewe of Carrollton, Mystic Krewe of Barkus, Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale

A big Carnival Sunday with varied parades: the Knights of King Arthur’s regal procession, the Uptown‑classic Krewe of Carrollton, and playful walking events like Mystic Krewe of Barkus with its dog‑centric celebration, plus the bold Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale.

February 11, 2026 – Krewe of Alla & Mystic Krewe of Druids

Midweek brings the Krewe of Alla’s Uptown procession and the Druids’ classic route, both filled with tradition and vibrant floats as Carnival heads toward its peak.

February 12, 2026 – Knights of Chaos & Krewe of Muses

Two legendary Uptown parades light up the night: Knights of Chaos with creative revelry and the Krewe of Muses, famed for its decorated shoe throws and sisterhood spirit.

February 13, 2026 – Knights of Babylon, Krewe of Bosom Buddies, Krewe of Hermes, Krewe of Morpheus, Le Krewe d’Etat

A full slate of Uptown parades, each with its own theme and personality, from mythic Knights of Babylon to the witty Le Krewe d’Etat, showcasing Mardi Gras’ rich tapestry of tradition and satire.

February 14, 2026 – Krewe of Endymion, Krewe of Iris, Krewe of Mid‑City, Krewe of NOMTOC, Krewe of Tucks

Valentine’s‑weekend celebrations roll with giant floats and energetic crowds: Endymion’s massive procession, Iris’ vibrant ladies’ krewe, Mid‑City’s Uptown route, NOMTOC’s community spirit, and Tucks with its iconic oversized throws.

February 15, 2026 – Krewe of Bacchus, Krewe of Okeanos, Krewe of Thoth

Sunday brings big names Uptown: Bacchus’ high‑energy floats and celebrity flair, Okeanos’ oceanic pageantry, and Thoth’s rhythmic procession celebrating mythology and music.

February 16, 2026 – Krewe of Orpheus, Krewe of Proteus, Red Beans, Dead Beans, and the Krewe of Feijão

Carnival’s final weekend features Orpheus and Proteus with their legendary Uptown schedules, plus the culturally rich Red Beans, Dead Beans, and Krewe of Feijão parade blending festivity with local flavors.

February 17, 2026 – Krewe of Crescent City, Krewe of Elks‑Orleans, Krewe of Rex, Krewe of Zulu & Mardi Gras Day

Fat Tuesday culminates in celebration. Crescent City and Elks Orleans bring community pageantry, while Rex and Zulu, two of the city’s most iconic krewes, lead the final Mardi Gras Day festivities in classic New Orleans style.

Celebrate Mardi Gras Spirit with JoyGothic Jewelry

Bring the energy of New Orleans Carnival home with pieces that echo the whimsy, drama, and dark romance of Mardi Gras. Our handmade gothic jewelry captures the theatrical masks, rich colors, and playful chaos of the parades, letting you wear the celebration as a statement of personality and style. Perfect for those who embrace spectacle, mystery, and artistic flair beyond the streets.